We left this afternoon for Denver from the Oakland airport. We were notified that our flight was changed a few weeks ago, a frequently recurring problem as the airlines continue to downsize. I had booked a morning flight right after I was elected to be a delegate and was worried that we would now miss early registration.
Glancing around the waiting area we saw several other delegates from around northern California. We also met many Democratic stalwarts who were going to volunteer at the convention. We talked about Obama's choice of Biden for Vice President. We shared stories of how we got elected. We shared a shuttle with writer Ayelet Waldman, the top Obama woman vote getter, from our district (above).
In a constant chatter we also noted that many of our local legislators were not coming because of the budget stalemate. We criticized the Governor's proposal and talked about our favorite alternatives -- restoring the half percent tax on the wealthiest who make over $500K or the Vehicle License fee. Substituting oil drilling or yacht taxes for the sales tax.
Mayor Dellums, who was a superdelegate will not be coming; his mother's funeral is on Wednesday.
When we hit the ground in Denver we were greeted by dozens of volunteers holding up signs, "Welcome DNC." From the skycaps to the shuttle drivers everyone seems excited to have the world focused on their city.The 503 member California delegation is housed at the Sheraton Hotel (left). It will be our home for the next five days. Stepping into the lobby was like being at home in Oakland. We'll be meeting here every morning.
We missed registration and most of the welcoming reception in honor of New Orleans, but met friends from around the country and Denver and went out to dinner to discuss the upcoming election and what we would each be doing to help elect Obama.
Glancing around the waiting area we saw several other delegates from around northern California. We also met many Democratic stalwarts who were going to volunteer at the convention. We talked about Obama's choice of Biden for Vice President. We shared stories of how we got elected. We shared a shuttle with writer Ayelet Waldman, the top Obama woman vote getter, from our district (above).
In a constant chatter we also noted that many of our local legislators were not coming because of the budget stalemate. We criticized the Governor's proposal and talked about our favorite alternatives -- restoring the half percent tax on the wealthiest who make over $500K or the Vehicle License fee. Substituting oil drilling or yacht taxes for the sales tax.
Mayor Dellums, who was a superdelegate will not be coming; his mother's funeral is on Wednesday.
When we hit the ground in Denver we were greeted by dozens of volunteers holding up signs, "Welcome DNC." From the skycaps to the shuttle drivers everyone seems excited to have the world focused on their city.The 503 member California delegation is housed at the Sheraton Hotel (left). It will be our home for the next five days. Stepping into the lobby was like being at home in Oakland. We'll be meeting here every morning.
We missed registration and most of the welcoming reception in honor of New Orleans, but met friends from around the country and Denver and went out to dinner to discuss the upcoming election and what we would each be doing to help elect Obama.
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